Manufacturing in The Midlands
‘The successful track test of the 650S powered British sports car is testament to what can be achieved when high capability suppliers work together’
Rather than concede to the initial risks
of research and development, AIE, like many other enterprising manufacturers, explored a variety of funding avenues and collaborative opportunities to develop and test their new rotary engine technologies; recognising that these unique engines would go on to provide novel solutions to next generation automotive and aerial vehicles. Their determination was rewarded when they
recently revealed the results of a collaborative project with Midlands car manufacturers, Westfield Sportscars and revolutionary chassis developers Axon Automotives. The project aim would be to develop a niche rotary engine sports car capable of delivering high performance with reduced carbon emissions. Drawing global attention, the outcome of the project
firmly placed the Midlands on the map once again for manufacturing excellence, as AIE unveiled and test drove the first ever British made rotary engine sports car at the UK’s premier Low Carbon Vehicle event in September. Commenting on this milestone moment, AIE managing
director Nathan Bailey said: “There is a great deal of expertise available within the Midlands automotive network and the successful track test of the 650S powered British sports car is testament to what can be achieved when high capability suppliers work together.” Being part of this vital infrastructure and positioned
in the heart of the Midlands has enabled AIE to work, not just with key automotive suppliers but also
aerospace suppliers; drawing on the support and expertise of the region to showcase their innovative rotary engines as never before. This new spirit for innovation and collaboration
within the Midlands is well-timed to coincide with the Midlands Engine Investment Fund that will support growth in small businesses within the region’s traditional strengths of manufacturing and engineering, including £15 million funding available to support R&D in lowering vehicle emissions. Much like AIE (UK) Ltd, many forward-thinking
manufacturing and engineering businesses in the Midlands are more optimistic about projected growth than the national picture, as reported by the MHA Manufacturing and Engineering Survey. Could it be then, that manufacturing in the Midlands
is poised to deliver a revival for world-renowned innovations that attract new markets? If anything, the supportive automotive ecosystem behind
accomplishments such as AIE’s rotary powered low-carbon sports car have proven that the Midlands can re-emerge as the worlds’ centre for world-class manufacturing. The Wankel engine was conceived by German engineer
Felix Wankel in the 1920s, and was once hailed as the ‘powerplant of the future’. However, nearly 100 years later, it has been abandoned by the world’s major automotive makers – so how has a tiny Lichfield company been able to make a success out of it? Jon Griffin investigates in the next issue of Chamberlink (February 2017).
Feature
For almost 100 years Bollig & Kemper have been supplying industrial and automotive products to the market place.
Since 2005 the company has specialised in automotive products to both the OEM & Plastics markets mainly for the European car makers such as BMW, Mercedes, Audi, Peugeot, Renault, GM & Ford.
In 2016 Nippon Paints bought Bollig & Kemper outright which made us part of one of the worlds largest paint companies. Bollig & Kemper does however remain an independent and legal entity.
In the UK we supply primarily primers paints and laquers for the plastics market.
Our customers include JLR, Bentley and other prominent car makers.
Our modern factory in Minworth boasts state of the art spraying and colour measurement systems alongside manufacturing and distribution functions. In addition we have a talented and experienced technical support team available both in house and at customer premises.
7 Maybrook Rd •Minworth • Sutton Coldfield • B76 1AL • Tel: 0121 313 1117 •Web:
www.bolligundkemper.de • Email:
info@bolligundkemper.de December 2016/January 2017 CHAMBERLINK 43
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